BATTLES WITH BUST #686 brings another thrilling episode from BUST, diving deep into the ever-shifting landscape of The Bazaar. In this episode, BUST takes on the challenges of patch four in the Mac release, all while wrestling with patch communication woes and exploring the infamous Spider Mace strategy. If you’re a fan of creative builds, nuanced item synergy, or just want to understand how to maximize your wins in The Bazaar, you’ll find loads of insight in this gameplay recap.
Episode 686: Mac Patch 4 and Communication Hiccups
This week, BUST tackles the fourth patch since Mac’s debut—one with multiple hotfixes and, unfortunately, little official communication. Like many players, BUST has relied on community resources and the dedicated “How Bizarre” website to stay current. After a quick reflection on the developer journey and the toll of community feedback, BUST jumps into gameplay, focusing on Mac and the importance of strategic transmutes throughout the run.
Early Game: Scaling and Transmute Setups
The episode opens with a familiar strategy: start with enchanted items and, if the rolls aren’t ideal, look to transmute them into more useful assets. The two major early goals are:
- Finding reliable sources of “chunks of lead,” like the Calcinator or Retort, which enable consistent transmutes for gold and progress.
- Assembling early-game combos between items like smelling salts and mortar and pestle for scaling or sustain.
BUST opts into a burn/slow-focused start, balancing between classic builds and being open to whatever rare items Mac’s shops might offer.
Middle Game: The Spider Mace Dilemma and Magic Carpet Tech
The core tension of this BATTLES WITH BUST episode centers around the Spider Mace. Despite trying to avoid the iconic (and recently nerfed) item, the game keeps offering it, pushing BUST towards another spider-themed run. The struggle is real: the Spider Mace needs solid enchant support to shine, and finding the right synergies—especially when chasing other builds like burn or crit—can fragment your progress.
That’s not all, though: strong transmute play leads to a critical moment—a prize Magic Carpet that quickly becomes the centerpiece. Upgrading the Magic Carpet, combining it with strength potions for guaranteed crits, and striving for a rapid cooldown forms the crux of BUST’s mid-game pivot. The goal is clear: set up the “build your own Crow’s Nest” effect, with a life-steal item and a near-infinite crit engine powered by the Magic Carpet’s hasted activations. The problem? Getting there requires perfect haste setups or access to items like the hourglass to fire things off instantly.
Late Game: Navigating Item Overload, Venom Options, and Missed Haste
As the run advances, things get complicated. Transmutes provide double Venom, offering a new direction, but the question looms—stick with the Magic Carpet crit dream or pivot fully to poison and slow? BUST ultimately weaves together a hybrid board, but the absence of instant activation via haste or “rigged” effects leaves the build waiting for its power to ramp up. The tension comes to a head in a critical battle, where lacking fast activators on key items means BUST falls just short—achingly close to a seventh win for the legend bonus.
What Worked: Key Takeaways from BUST’s Bazaar Build
- Magic Carpet with Shiny & Strength Potion: When upgraded and crit-enabled, Magic Carpet becomes a devastating weapon, but only thrives with immediate activation. Without haste tools, your power spike is always delayed.
- Transmute Engines: Chunks of lead, retorts, and early Calcinator pickups are crucial for both economy and constant board upgrades—especially in Mac builds.
- Spider Mace and Venom: Infamous for synergy, but risky if you can’t back them with sufficient slows or the right on-hit triggers. Sometimes the game just insists on Spider Mace runs!
- Adapt, but Don’t Overcommit: BUST’s willingness to pivot is a strength, though sometimes spreading out between poison, slow, crit, and burn can dilute overall power, especially without fast start enablers.
Final Thoughts: Spider Mace Temptations and Lessons Learned
Episode 686 of BATTLES WITH BUST showcases both the excitement and frustration of high-level Bazaar play. Sometimes, even optimal decisions leave you waiting for that crucial final win—highlighting how critical fast activators and synergy are in the late game. Whether you’re a Spider Mace enthusiast, Magic Carpet tinkerer, or Mac main searching for those perfect transmute lines, there’s a ton to learn from BUST’s journey through patch four’s chaos.
If you’re looking to master The Bazaar yourself, take BUST’s advice: stay flexible, always be ready to pivot, and remember—sometimes, the game just wants you to Spider Mace. Good luck in your next run, and don’t forget to tune in for the next episode of BATTLES WITH BUST for more high-stakes strategy and signature BUST banter!